‘No place for vandalism in sports’

Strongly disapproving of the vandalism at the Games Village by some Australian athletes, cricket team's stand-in captain Michael Clarke said on Saturday the game should be supported irrespective of victory or defeat.

Strongly disapproving of the vandalism at the Games Village by some Australian athletes, cricket team's stand-in captain Michael Clarke said on Saturday the game should be supported irrespective of victory or defeat.

It has been reported that Australian athletes damaged furniture and electrical fittings at the Village after India blanked Australia in the Test series.

"It is disappointing. Obviously we have no control over what other people do but I think as Australians we love seeing good cricket," said Clarke.

"I think all Australians must continue to support cricket irrespective of whether we win or lose," said Clarke. Clarke, however, demanded to know whether the incident, widely reported by the media was true or these were mere allegations."Has it been proved?" asked Clarke.

It was also said the Australians shouted slogans against Sachin Tendulkar, who scored heavily in India's crushing series win.

Clarke condemned the act.

"We all love Sachin Tendulkar. He is an amazing player and what he has done for world cricket is just unbelievable. I think he is a great ambassador of the game."Clarke, however, is relieved that Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag will not be part of the much-vaunted Indian batting line-up in the one-day series, starting on Sunday.

"I am happy that all those guys (Tendulkar, Sehwag) are not playing.“ I am sick of seeing Sachin scoring so many runs. But I still think Indian team is very strong. They have a lot of young players who have played T20s and ODIs before and they have a lot of talent," Clarke said.

Australians are also without some big stars and Clarke said, it will be an even contest."I think the opposition we are playing is very tough, especially in the Indian conditions but I am confident that if we play to our best, we will win the series.

“As I said earlier this series is going to be fought evenly," he said.